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After shutting down the Microsoft Windows 8/8.1 PC and turning the system back on, it is not possible to enter BIOS Setup (by pressing F1) or the Boot Menu (by pressing F12).

Affected Configurations

The above symptom is associated with, but not limited to, the following systems:

ThinkPad, ThinkCentre, ThinkStation, IdeaPad, IdeaCentre

Affected Systems (machine types, model types):

All models with Microsoft Windows 8/8.1 preload.

System is configured with:

Microsoft Windows 8/8.1.

Applies to

Microsoft Windows 8/8.1

Additional Information

By default, a Windows 8/8.1 shutdown is not a real shutdown. Instead, it is hybrid shutdown where contents of memory are saved to disk. This allows for a faster startup. However, turning on the PC after a hybrid shutdown does not allow for pressing F1 or F12 during startup.

Solution

There are several ways to enter Setup Utility (F1) or the Boot Menu (F12) on a Microsoft Windows 8/8.1 PC as explained below:

Press and hold the Shift key while selecting the Shutdown option in Windows 8. This will make the PC perform a full shutdown instead of a hybrid shutdown. Then F1 or F12 can be pressed successfully during startup.

Select Restart instead of Shutdown. Then F1 or F12 can be pressed successfully during startup.

Disable the fast startup option in Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Power Options -> Choose what the power buttons do.

It is also possible to access these features from within Windows 8/8.1.